I saw it at Ham-Com in Plano, Tx and was very impressed at the size of it. However, in addition to the KX3, I've added the K3/100 so the thought of the KXPA100 is loosing its appeal considering the price tag.

However, at the same display at Ham-Com was the KPA500. It sort of knocked my socks off because of its size and appearance. Also the power supply is contained in it.

I'm in remodeling mode in the Ham Shack, but when I finish, and if Alpha ever ships me the A4040, and I have room left, the KPA500... I can hear it calling to me. "Order me, order me, you will love me."

The price isn't that bad. The Ten Tec equivalent is $795. And with the Elecraft, you don't have to send it back to the factory for firmware updates.

The price is bad for both. They are both only a small step above a splattering CB type amplifier. Just because they have a LPF does not mean they have low IMD. Both use crappy 13.8 V CB type mosfets. They are both crap amplifiers.

The KX3 splattery transmitter is barely acceptable for QRP use. It is totally irresponsible for Elecraft to build a crappy CB type 100W amp to boost the splattering KX3 transmitter up to very unacceptable levels!

1. Barrett Communications model 2030: -31 dBc (measured the same as the ARRL does)2. MICOM-500E: -24 dBc (measurement method not specified, it could be -30 dBc by the ARRL method)3. many others found but no IMD specs given

So far my research shows the KX3 to be cleaner than any presently manufactured amateur and commercial SSB transceivers except for the FTDx5000 (in class-A mode).

Can you list cleaner transceivers that are in production along with their 3rd order IMD spec?

1. Barrett Communications model 2030: -31 dBc (measured the same as the ARRL does)2. MICOM-500E: -24 dBc (measurement method not specified, it could be -30 dBc by the ARRL method)3. many others found but no IMD specs given

This just goes to show the sad state of affairs out on the market presently. All are bad. This is why all those high performance receivers in Sherwoods list don't really matter. You can't hear them if the band is full of splatter.

The reason I cite the FCC IMD requirement for broadcast SSB is that I think this could be considered the "golden" standard by which to judge amateur radio SSB transmission.

FCC 73.757

Attenuation of the unwanted sideband. The attenuation of the unwanted sideband (lower sideband) and of intermodulation products in that part of the emission spectrum shall be at least 35 dB relative to the wanted sideband signal level.

I interpret this to mean the FCC requires broadcast SSB 3rd order IMD products to be at least -35 dBc. Using the ARRL method I believe this is about -40 dBc. From this I conclude that few modern amateur transceivers meet FCC 73.757.

The KX3 at -36 dBc is among the cleanest and Elecraft should be commended for raising the bar, so to speak.

The reason I cite the FCC IMD requirement for broadcast SSB is that I think this could be considered the "golden" standard by which to judge amateur radio SSB transmission.

FCC 73.757

Attenuation of the unwanted sideband. The attenuation of the unwanted sideband (lower sideband) and of intermodulation products in that part of the emission spectrum shall be at least 35 dB relative to the wanted sideband signal level.

I interpret this to mean the FCC requires broadcast SSB 3rd order IMD products to be at least -35 dBc. Using the ARRL method I believe this is about -40 dBc. From this I conclude that few modern amateur transceivers meet FCC 73.757.

The KX3 at -36 dBc is among the cleanest and Elecraft should be commended for raising the bar, so to speak.

That's at ~8 Watts, let's see what happens when you drive their 100 W CB amp with it.

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